Sump plug

[Doc]

Removed sump plug ready for a oil change and found remnants of PVA tape on thread.
Thread looks ok though so why have they used this
Question is should I buy a new plug use pva again or put back in with new o ring and keep an eye on it ?

Cheers Doc

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Removed sump plug ready for a oil change and found remnants of PVA tape on thread.
Thread looks ok though so why have they used this
Question is should I buy a new plug use pva again or put back in with new o ring and keep an eye on it ?

Cheers Doc
View attachment 394224

All three options

 

[Oldrat]

Oh fook!
Not nice.
Repack with tape and carefully replace.

If it leaks you could resort to running the correct size tap through it to try to re-establish the thread, same with a die on the plug.

Failing that, an insert

 

[Doc]

Cleaned it off and thread is fine.

 

[stever1]

I would buy a new sump plug and washer.
Try it, if not oil tight helicoil the sump thread

 

[Easy_Rider]

I think someone has not changed the o-ring seal at last oil change and just used some PT tape to be on the safe side.
If it was me, i would just change the o-ring seal and reuse the sump plug.

 

[The Other PaulG]

I think someone has not changed the o-ring seal at last oil change and just used some PT tape to be on the safe side.
If it was me, i would just change the o-ring seal and reuse the sump plug.

I agree. Or perhaps someone gorilla-d it, tore the o ring and then added the ptfe to stop the leak. I’d try the standard set up and see how it goes.

 

[leadfarmer]

Never seen an o ring on a sump plug, they usually have a crush washer

Don’t know anything about Harleys but is that normal?

 

[snelly]

Never seen an o ring on a sump plug, they usually have a crush washer

Don’t know anything about Harleys but is that normal?

Same here; it's always been a crush washer for every engine i've done an oil change on in 50yrs; saying that; i've never done owt with a Harley.

 

[Doc]

Got a new o-ring so might just try as it is.

 

[Deise]

Got a new o-ring so might just try as it is.

Harleys parts must be very expensive

Anything left over from the "Go Fund" ? LOL

 

[Doris]

Never seen an o ring on a sump plug, they usually have a crush washer

Don’t know anything about Harleys but is that normal?

O rings on drain plugs (except forks if you’ve got the drain fitted)

 

[Doris]

Clean threads, if they’re good, new o ring and tighten properly with the right range torque wrench.

 

[GSian]

Shouldn't need PTFE tape if the O ring is doing what it should. But, check the surface on the sump where the O ring contacts, just make sure its clean and smooth.

 

[Doc]

Harleys parts must be very expensive

Anything left over from the "Go Fund" ? LOL

A bit.

Clean threads, if they’re good, new o ring and tighten properly with the right range torque wrench.

Will do.

 

[theoneandonly]

i have ptfe tape in my toolbox , i use it for airline fittings , if you are putting it on drain bolts there is something wrong
OR
belt , new o ring
braces , correct torque
bit of string, ptfe tape

b,b,b of s = 3 means of fixing anything , if it still goes wrong , it's not as if you didn't try.....then you don't beat yourself up if it still goes wrong.

 

[Doc]

Out of interest why do you get a range of torque settings to work to ?
Like 10-15 lbs why not just one figure 15 lbs.

 

[Big Si]

Out of interest why do you get a range of torque settings to work to ?
Like 10-15 lbs why not just one figure 15 lbs.

Just aim for the middle, don't know why they do that....possibly to allow for badly calibrated torque wrenches??

 

[JJH]

Thread on plug look fine. Check thread on sump. If looking good just do whatever you do JJH

 

[The Other PaulG]

If it does have an o ring, lubricate it (I'd use a tiny smear of red rubber grease, on the o ring not the thread) before tightening the sump plug so that it doesn't catch and bunch up between the sump and plug.